Looking for the icon of an installed application on Android, but it has disappeared somewhere from the main screen? Or maybe you just installed a app, but its shortcut did not appear in the menu? This situation is familiar to many users - especially after updating the system or changing the launcher. Unlike iOSwhere all applications are strictly ordered, Android offers more freedom, but also more ways to “lose” an icon.

In this article we will look at all possible search methodsincluding hidden folders, system settings and even restoring deleted shortcuts. You'll learn how to find an application via Search by devicewhy some apps don't appear in the menu, and what to do if the icon disappears after a factory reset. And also - how to avoid similar problems in the future using simple settings.

If you are in a hurry, use the quick solution:

🔍 Scroll through all desktop screens (from left to right)

📁 Check the "All applications" folder (swipe up from the bottom panel)

🔎 Use the system search (swipe down on the main screen → enter the name)

⚙️ Go to Settings → Applications and find the app in the list

📥 Reinstall the application if it is not displayed at all

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1. Search through the All Applications menu

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to check the full list of installed apps. On most smartphones (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.) for this you need:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (where the navigation bar is located). On some firmware (for example One UI from Samsung) you may need to swipe up twice or click on the “dots/squares” icon in the dock panel.
  2. In the menu that opens, scroll down the list. Applications are usually sorted alphabetically or by installation date.
  3. If the list is too long, use search bar at the top (magnifying glass icon or input field).

On some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Action Launcher) the “All applications” menu can be opened with a gesture double tap across a free area of the screen or through a special button in the dock panel. If you have a custom launcher installed, check its settings - sometimes applications are hidden due to filters (for example, only “favorites” are displayed).

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On Xiaomi and Redmi by default, the “App Vault” function is enabled (swipe left on the main screen) which may intercept some icons. Disable it in the launcher settings if it interferes.

If the application is in the list, but is not on the main screen, you can return it:

  • 📍 Press the icon to the "All applications" menu and drag it to the desktop.
  • 🔄 On some firmware (for example EMUI from Huawei), you must first click “Add to home screen” in the context menu.

The built-in device search is one of the fastest ways to find an application, even if it is hidden in a folder or is not displayed on the home screen. Here's how to use it:

  1. Swipe gesture down on the main screen (or click on the search bar at the top of the screen, if there is one).
  2. Enter application name (even partial). The system will show not only apps, but also contacts, settings and files associated with the request.
  3. If the results contain the desired application, click on it - it will open. To pin it to the main screen, long-press the icon in the search results and select “Add to screen.”

On Samsung Galaxy search works through Bixby or Google Assistant. If the standard search does not find the application, try:

  • 🔍 Enter a query in English (for example, “chrome” instead of “chrome”).
  • 📱 Make sure that the search is configured to scan all applications (including system ones). To do this, go to Settings → Search by device → Sources.
Why does the search not find the application?

If the system search does not produce results, the following reasons are possible:

1. Application disabled in the settings (see section 4).

2. This is system softwarehidden from the user (for example, Google services).

3. Launcher does not index some folders (relevant for custom shells).

4. Application installed for another user (on devices with multiple profiles).

3. Checking hidden folders and tabs

Many manufacturers add tabs to the desktop hidden folders where application icons can be stored. For example:

  • 📁 Service folder are often hidden here data-i="116">(only for (on Samsung) - system utilities like Smart Switch or Secure Folder.
  • 🔒 Secure Folder (only for Samsung) - secure storage where applications can be hidden. To open it, swipe down the notification panel and find the “Secure Folder” notification or go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Secure Folder.
  • 👥 Tab "For work" (on devices with Android for Work) - corporate applications are displayed here, which may not be shown in the main menu.

Also check:

  • 📱 Second worker table (if you use the "Double Space" function on Xiaomi or "Parallel Apps" on Huawei).
  • 🎮 Game space (on Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo) - some games are automatically moved here.

On Huawei i Honor with firmware EMUI there is a function "Umrang" (App Twin), which duplicates applications. If you created a copy of the app (for example, a second WhatsApp), the original icon could remain in the "Clone applications" folder.

Yes, this happens regularly

Sometimes, after updates

It was there before, but I found a solution

No, I have never encountered it

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4. Search through Android settings

If the application is installed, but is not displayed either in the menu or in the search, check its status in the system settings. Perhaps it is. disabled, hidden or runs in the background without an icon. Follow the instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications (on some devices the path may differ: Settings → Applications and notifications → Show all applications).
  2. In the upper corner, click on the three dots (⋮) and select “Show system” (if there is an option). This will display all apps, including utility ones.
  3. Find the desired application in the list If it is disabled, click on it and select Enable.
  4. If the application hidden (for example, through the "Hide applications" function on Xiaomi), return its visibility to the launcher menu.

On Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO there is a separate setting for hiding applications:

  1. Press free space on the main screen → click “Settings.”
  2. Select “Hide applications” and check if the one you need is there.

If an application in the list is marked as “Stopped", this may mean that it is blocked by the device administrator (for example, in corporate phones. In this case, you can restore the icon only by unlocking it in Settings → Security → Device administrators.

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Disabled applications are not shown in the menu and do not work in the background. They can only be enabled through system settings.

5. icons

If the application icon was removed from the main screen (but the app remains in the system), it is easy to return it. If the shortcut disappeared after reset settings or firmware updates, additional actions will be required.

Method 1: Drag and drop from the “All applications” menu

  • 📱 Open the menu with all applications (swipe up).
  • 🔍 Find the one you need and press and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds.
  • 📍 Drag it to the main screen or dock panel.

Method 2: Reset the launcher settings

If the icons disappeared en masse (for example, after a crash), reset the settings shell:

  1. Long free space on the main screen → “Settings” (or “Screen options”).
  2. Find the option “Reset settings” or “Restore to default.”
  3. Confirm the action. This will not delete application, but will return the standard icon arrangement.

Method 3: Reinstalling the application

If the icon disappeared after updating the app, try:

  • 📥 Uninstall the application through Settings → Applications.
  • 🔄 Restart the device.
  • 🛒 Install the app again from Google Play or APK file.
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On Samsung after reinstalling the application, the icon may appear in "Samsung" or "Galaxy Essentials" folder on the main screen.

6. Problems with launchers and firmware

Sometimes icons disappear due to crashes in the launcher (the app responsible for displaying the desktop). This is relevant for:

  • 📱 Devices with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
  • 🎨 Smartphones with alternative launchers installed (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, Apex Launcher).
  • 🔄 Phones after an unsuccessful update system.

How to fix:

Problem Solution
Icons disappeared after updating the launcher Reset the launcher settings in its menu or reinstall it.
Applications are not displayed in Nova Launcher Press the screen → “Nova Settings” → “Applications and Widgets” → “Hidden applications” (uncheck the boxes).
After the firmware, all the icons disappeared Reset to factory settings (make a backup first).
The launcher is constantly reset Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications.

If you use root access will help., the problem may be related to removed system components. In this case, only flashing the device or restoring deleted files via TWRP.

What to do if the launcher does not start at all?

If after changing the launcher the screen turns black or reboots cyclically:

1. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.

2. When starting, hold volume up buttonto enter Safe Mode (safe mode).

3. In Safe Mode remove or disable the problematic launcher via Settings → Applications.

4. Reboot the device - the system will return to the standard launcher.

7. Specific cases: games, widgets, system utilities

Some types of applications behave non-standard:

  • 🎮 Games on Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo can automatically move to the “Game Space”. To return them to the main screen, open the game center, long-press the game icon and select “Add to desktop”.
  • ⚙️ System Utilities (for example, Google Play Services or Android System WebView) do not have icons because they work in the background. They can only be found in Settings → Applications.
  • 📊 Widgets are not application icons! To add a widget, hold down an empty space on the screen → “Widgets” → select the desired one.
  • 🔒 Applications with administrator rights (for example, Find My Device or corporate MDM solutions) can block the removal of their icons. To hide them, you need to revoke administrator rights in Settings → Security.

On Huawei and Honor some applications (for example, Huawei Mobile Services) are hidden in the “Services” folder. To find it, swipe all the way to the left on the main screen.

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If you cannot find the icon Google Play Market, check if it is disabled in the settings. Without it, you will not be able to install or update applications!

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

❓ Why did all the icons disappear after updating Android?

This is a typical problem when upgrading to a new firmware version. The launcher may reset settings or display icons incorrectly. Solutions:

  1. Reboot the device.
  2. Reset the launcher settings (press screen → "Settings" → "Reset").
  3. If that doesn't help, install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) from APKfile.
❓ How to find the application icon if it is installed but not shown in the menu?

The application is probably hidden or disabled. Check:

  • 🔍 Settings → Applications (turn on system display).
  • 📁 On Xiaomi: hold the screen → “Settings” → “Hidden applications.”
  • 🔄 Reinstall the application.
❓ Is it possible to return the icon of a deleted system application?

If you deleted a system application (for example, Calendar or Clock) without root access, it can only be returned by resetting the device to factory settings. If you have Root, try:

adb shell cmd package install-existing

You can find out the package name through the app App Inspector or with the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "name"
❓ Why are some applications duplicated on Samsung ?

This is a feature of the firmware One UI. Some apps (for example Galaxy Store or Samsung Pay) may appear both in the main menu and in the “Samsung” or “Bixby” folder. To remove a duplicate:

  • Hold the icon → “Delete” (this will only delete the shortcut, not the application itself).
  • Or move one of the duplicates to the “Service” folder.
❓ How to prevent icons from disappearing in the future?

To avoid problems:

  • 📁 Do not use the “Hide Apps” functions unless necessary.
  • 🔄 Regularly update the launcher and firmware.
  • 📱 Before resetting the settings, make a backup of the location of the icons (in some launchers have an option to export settings).
  • 🚫 Do not delete system applications without understanding the consequences.
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If the icon disappears after actions with root access or custom firmware, the only reliable way to get it back is to reflash the device or restore a backup via TWRP.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI) after resetting the settings, application icons can be grouped into the “Others” folder. Check it if you haven't found the app you need.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using Android Go (light version for weaker devices), some applications may not display icons due to system limitations. In this case, launch the app via Settings → Applications.